Why Mike Brown has a ton of respect for Knicks fans

The New York Knicks are through to the conference finals for the second straight year after destroying the Philadelphia 76ers, 144-114, in Game 4 on Sunday at Xfinity Mobile Arena to complete the sweep of their second-round series in the playoffs.

The Knicks eliminated the 76ers by an average margin of over 22 points, including a 38-point drubbing in Game 1, which proved to be a portent of things to come for Philadelphia.

Fans of the Knicks took over the Sixers’ home court in Game 4, including booming chants of “Knicks in 4!” amid the blowout.

After the game, New York coach Mike Brown expressed his amazement at the support they have received in the playoffs.

“Obviously, I didn’t know how well they traveled and stuff like that. But I was out of coaching, so I’d watch you guys every once in a while. I’d watch ESPN and all that other stuff during basketball times, and they’d show videos of fans after a first-round win climbing light poles in New York, so I’m like, ‘Wow,'” said Brown.

“You love it. You love seeing stuff like that. I got a lot of respect for you, Knicks fans. I’m going to applaud them too. Let’s go, Knicks! Great job. I got a lot of respect for them, and the more you are around (the team), the more you appreciate and understand why they are like that. But more than anything else, they’re a knowledgeable group, they’re a knowledgeable fanbase. You respect that just as much as their passion,” added Brown.

"I'd watch ESPN…fans climbing light poles in New York after 1st round…you love it…I got a lot of respect for you Knick fans…LET'S GO KNICKS (claps)…More than anything they're knowledgeable…You respect that as much as their passion"

– Mike Brown pic.twitter.com/ikQvdp7Yhm

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 10, 2026

The 56-year-old Brown, who also issued a non-basketball message, quickly realized how intense the Big Apple can be after signing with the Knicks in the offseason.

Fans of the Knicks have always been critical, which empowers the players to play better and be more accountable. They are not shy to express their displeasure, especially when they are at Madison Square Garden.

But conversely, they are extremely loyal, which should only bode well for Brown, as he tries to steer the Knicks back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

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